wait

[ weyt ]

/ weɪt /

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See synonyms for: wait / waited / waiting on Thesaurus.com

Definition of wait

verb (used without object)

to remain inactive or in a state of repose, as until something expected happens (often followed by for, till, or until): to wait for the bus to arrive.

(of things) to be available or in readiness: A letter is waiting for you.

to remain neglected for a time: a matter that can wait.

to postpone or delay something or to be postponed or delayed: We waited a week and then bought the house. Your vacation will have to wait until next month.

to look forward to eagerly: I'm just waiting for the day somebody knocks him down.

verb (used with object)

to continue as one is in expectation of; await: to wait one's turn at a telephone booth.

to postpone or delay in expectation: Don't wait supper for me.

Archaic. (of things) to be in readiness for; be reserved for; await: Glory waits thee.

Archaic. to attend upon or escort, especially as a sign of respect.

noun

an act or instance of waiting or awaiting; delay; halt: a wait at the border.

a period or interval of waiting: There will be a long wait between trains.

Theater.

the time between two acts, scenes, or the like.
stage wait.

British.

waits, (formerly) a band of musicians employed by a city or town to play music in parades, for official functions, etc.
a street musician, especially a singer.
one of a band of carolers.
a piece sung by carolers, especially a Christmas carol.

Obsolete. a watchman.

Verb Phrases

wait on,

to perform the duties of an attendant or servant for.
to supply the wants of a person, as serving a meal or serving a customer in a store.
to call upon or visit (a person, especially a superior): to wait on Her Majesty at the palace.
Falconry. (of a hawk) to soar over ground until prey appears.
Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S. to wait for (a person); await.
Also wait upon. to await (an event).

wait up,

to postpone going to bed to await someone's arrival.
Informal. to halt and wait for another to join one, as in running or walking: Wait up, I can't walk so fast.

OTHER WORDS FOR wait

1 await, linger, abide, delay.

See synonyms for wait on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about wait

lie in wait, to wait in ambush: The army lay in wait in the forest.

wait table. table (def. 26).

Origin of wait

First recorded in 1150–1200; (verb) early Middle English waiten, from Anglo-French waitier;Old French guaitier, from Germanic; cognate with Old High German wahtēn “to watch,” derivative of wahta ”a watch” (see wake¹); (noun) late Middle English, from Anglo-French, derivative of waitier

synonym study for wait

1. Wait, tarry imply pausing to linger and thereby putting off further activity until later. Wait usually implies staying for a limited time and for a definite purpose, that is, for something expected: to wait for a train. Tarry is a somewhat archaic word for wait, but it suggests lingering, perhaps aimlessly delaying, or pausing (briefly) in a journey: to tarry on the way home; to tarry overnight at an inn.

usage note for wait

15e, f. Sometimes considered objectionable in standard usage, the idiom wait on meaning “to wait for, to await (a person)” is largely confined to speech or written representations of speech. It is most common in the Midland and Southern United States: Let's not wait on Rachel, she's always late. Wait on or upon (an event) does not have a regional pattern and occurs in a wide variety of contexts: We will wait on (or upon ) his answer and make our decision then. The completion of the merger waits upon news of a drop in interest rates.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH wait

wait , weight

Words nearby wait

waist-deep, waisted, waist-high, waistline, waist pack, wait, wait-a-bit, wait a minute, wait and see, Waitangi Day, Waitangi Tribunal

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use wait in a sentence

Nesbitt said she worried that residents who had heard about long phone waits in the early days of vaccine registration were too discouraged to try calling in recent days.
South Africa and U.K. coronavirus variants detected in D.C.; Maryland to open third mass vaccination site|Erin Cox, Julie Zauzmer, Rachel Chason|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
In Virginia, for example, the wait list for vaccinations in Fairfax County reached 186,602 earlier this week.
Maryland Democrats call for ‘course correction’ amid regionwide frustration over vaccine rollout|Erin Cox, Rebecca Tan, Antonio Olivo|February 3, 2021|Washington Post
The Zinners have fundraised so they could hire an immigration attorney for Stephanie and her son, but they anticipate a long wait for any resolution.
A Maryland couple opened their home to a Honduran mother and son. They ended up sharing more than space.|Stephanie García|January 30, 2021|Washington Post
After two failed appointments and a 45-minute wait at the hospital, her third time in the system was a success.
What went wrong with America’s $44 million vaccine data system?|Cat Ferguson|January 30, 2021|MIT Technology Review

Maps could even help community residents compare wait times among different facilities to guide their choices and offer the best possible experiences.
Envisioning better health outcomes for all|Jason Sparapani|January 26, 2021|MIT Technology Review
So far, all the players seemed to be willing to wait their turn.
The Golden State Preps for the ‘Red Wedding’ of Senate Races|David Freedlander|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And they might not have to wait that long to show their political heft.
Asian-Americans Are The New Florida|Tim Mak|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And as he adjusted to this change in circumstances, he screamed at himself a second time: Wait!
Powerful Congressman Writes About ‘Fleshy Breasts’|Asawin Suebsaeng|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Some refugees wait for days on the ships before setting sail.
Ghost Ships of the Mediterranean|Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“Wait…” Suddenly a huge, graceful black marlin leaps out of the water, sending a shower of water ten feet high.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
As men fixed in the grip of nightmare, we were powerless—unable to do anything but wait.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
He didn't need to wait—as the birds did—until an angleworm stuck his head above ground.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey
The pig family did not know when Squinty would be taken away from them, and all they could do was to wait.
Squinty the Comical Pig|Richard Barnum
Janet might have said before leaving: "Tea had better not wait too long--Hilda has to be down at Clayhanger's at half-past six."
Hilda Lessways|Arnold Bennett
And Jimmy thought that if he must wait for him again he would wait in a pleasant place.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey

British Dictionary definitions for wait

wait

/ (weɪt) /

verb

(when intr, often foll by for, until, or to) to stay in one place or remain inactive in expectation (of something); hold oneself in readiness (for something)

to delay temporarily or be temporarily delayedthat work can wait

(when intr, usually foll by for) (of things) to be in store (for a person)success waits for you in your new job

(intr) to act as a waiter or waitress

noun

the act or an instance of waiting

a period of waiting

(plural) rare a band of musicians who go around the streets, esp at Christmas, singing and playing carols

an interlude or interval between two acts or scenes in a play, etc

lie in wait to prepare an ambush (for someone)

Word Origin for wait

C12: from Old French waitier; related to Old High German wahtēn to wake 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with wait

wait

In addition to the idioms beginning with wait

wait a minute
wait and see
wait at table
wait for the other shoe to drop
waiting game
waiting in the wings
wait on
wait on hand and foot
wait out
wait up

also see:

can't wait
hurry up and wait
in waiting
lie in wait
play a waiting game

wait

Definition of wait

OTHER WORDS FOR wait

Idioms about wait

Origin of wait

synonym study for wait

usage note for wait

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH wait

Words nearby wait

Words related to wait

How to use wait in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for wait

Word Origin for wait

Other Idioms and Phrases with wait